Here are the books we talked about.
Our next meeting is not until August, and hopefully will be face to face, although we may be doing our social distancing.
Happy Reading.
Regards
Kerrie
Suzanne
1.The Kashmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas: a beautiful read, highly recommended.
2.The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson: a light read.
3.The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa (Jan’s on the March List): a very sad story of WW2.
4. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: an unusual read, full of every emotion, recommended.
Annette
Ive only read 3 books this month but enjoyed them all.
Two books are by Michael Robotham:
THE OTHER WIFE and GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL.
Both are psychological thrillers.
MR WIGG by Inga Simpson, an Australian author, is a whimsical tale of the simple joys of life .
Mr Wigg loves tending to his fruit trees in his orchard,especially his peaches.He also enjoys cooking with his young grandchildren and a special project he has to finish.A novel that celebrates the small things in life.
I'm about to read WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens
Cindy
I've listed the books that I've read, but not provided any
detail. Suffice to say, I thoroughly enjoyed them, except "Shopaholic To
The Stars" by Sophie Kinsella. Did try another of hers, but resigned
myself to the fact I'm not inspired by her writing style.
"The
Jump" Martina Cole
"Stay
With Me" Maureen McCarthy
"Shopaholic
To The Stars" Sophie Kinsella
"War
Bride" Pamela Hart
"The
McGregors-Fate" Nora Roberts
"The
Light After The War" Anita Abriel
"The
Summer Before The War" Helen Simonson
"Falling-A
Love Story" ) Jane Green
"Tempting
Fate" )
"
"The
Good Turn" Dervla McTiernan (her latest)
"The
Model Wife" Tricia Stringer (her latest)
Currently
"Greetings From Somewhere Else" by Monica McInerney
Sylvia
Various audio books
Your Kind of Girl by Clare Bowditch.
Of this amazing autobiography one commentator wrote that she has cemented her status as one of Australia's most mesmerising storytellers -- & I found it hard to put down, yet at the same time hard to pick up as is both heartbreaking & inspiring
Jan
The Secrets She Keeps – Michael Robotham
The Paris Secret – Natasha Lester (another very interesting book by this author)
The Beautiful Mother – Katherine Scholes (This book was given to me for Mother’s Day by my lovely neighbours from Tanzania. It is based on the life in Tanzania of Essie Lawrence who lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp. One morning a chance encounter with two strangers sees her making a rash promise. When she returns home to the research base, she has a baby in her arms. Essie is to care for the little girl until the coming of the rains. And then hand her back. I have learnt so much more about Tanzania through this book and really recommend it.)
Wild Lavender – Belinda Alexander (Loved this book but know it has been reviewed by other people.)
Heather
Pearl in a Cage Joy Dettman Reread
Sylvia
Various audio books
Your Kind of Girl by Clare Bowditch.
Of this amazing autobiography one commentator wrote that she has cemented her status as one of Australia's most mesmerising storytellers -- & I found it hard to put down, yet at the same time hard to pick up as is both heartbreaking & inspiring
Jan
The Secrets She Keeps – Michael Robotham
The Paris Secret – Natasha Lester (another very interesting book by this author)
The Beautiful Mother – Katherine Scholes (This book was given to me for Mother’s Day by my lovely neighbours from Tanzania. It is based on the life in Tanzania of Essie Lawrence who lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp. One morning a chance encounter with two strangers sees her making a rash promise. When she returns home to the research base, she has a baby in her arms. Essie is to care for the little girl until the coming of the rains. And then hand her back. I have learnt so much more about Tanzania through this book and really recommend it.)
Wild Lavender – Belinda Alexander (Loved this book but know it has been reviewed by other people.)
Heather
Australian country town in 1920’s – 1950- the Depression, war, murder, relationships and struggles to survive.
The Violinist of Venice Alyssa Polombo
The Violinist of Venice Alyssa Polombo
Fiction set around the story of Antonio Vivaldi, violinist, composer and Red Priest and the woman he loved.
The other Side of the Coin Angela Kelly
Dresser to Queen Elizabeth - the clothes, the travels, the official engagement outfits, jewellery and travels; this was told in an interesting manner by Angela but retaining discretion, loyalty and confidentiality of her employer and friend, the Queen (Elizabeth II).
Little Black Dress James Patterson
Three Gold Coins Josephine Moon
Set in both Australia and Italy, love and family strength triumph over a successful ‘gas lighting’ by a manipulative husband who tries to obtain the heroine’s five year old twin children. Interesting background of goats and cheese making in rural Italy.
The Vatican Princess C W Gortner
Novel about Lucrezia Borgia and her infamous, manipulative, vicious and murderous family. While her brothers, Juan and Cesare and her father Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI) remain in my mind as horrendous as historically portrayed, Lucrecia in this novel, is shown in a much more sympathetic role than any story I have read before and appear very much as a naïve pawn in her family’s ambitions, having no say in the choosing of her husbands (2 out of 3) and, the love of her life, and her beloved servant were murdered violently on the orders of her brothers and father.
Too Good To Be True Anne Cleeves
Another in the Shetland series, Inspector Jimmy Perez is asked by his ex-wife to investigate a murder of her local schoolteacher with whom rumour had it that her current husband had been having an affair.
Devonshire Scream Laura Childs
A teashop mystery involving murder and jewel thieves, interspersed with descriptions of genteel life in Charleston and delicious scones and other food. Easy entertainment.
Arcadia Di Morrissey
Set in 1930’s Tasmania to modern times, with lovely descriptions of nature, ancient forest, animals and much information about mushrooms interwoven with family secrets, love, theft and greed, and friendship of two young girls who as adults go on a road trip to solve some of the mystery.
The Zanzibar Wife Deborah Rodriguez (author of the little Kabul Coffee Shop and others)
Mystery, magic and change of heart experienced in Oman by an American photographer and the Middle Eastern women she reluctantly befriends.
Medici’s daughter Sophie Perinot
Novel set in France 1500’s. Full of betrayal, love, wars of religion, bloodshed, family ambition and greed and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Related by Marguerite de Valois (daughter of Catherine de Medicis) and the struggle for power and the throne of France.
BarbW
Tidelands – Philippa Gregory. This is the 1st in a new series about the ‘working/women in service’ women in Medieval times. Great story – lots of twists & hidden stories and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Set in 1648/1649.
The Dictionary of Lost Words – Pip Williams. I’m quite addicted to ‘8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’ on SBS and there’s a lady on there, Susie Dent, who is a lexicographer and comes up with some of the most amazing words. This led me to this book. It’s a lovely story based on the development of the Oxford Dictionary.
The Dickens Boy – Tom Keneally. I heard Tom being interviewed on 891 with Richard Fiedler and thought I’d read the book. I think it has quite a lot of poetic licence in it but it was a great story. It’s based on 2 sons of Charles Dickens who were sent to Australia as young men to make their mark and live useful lives. They were sent to outback areas on sheep stations. An interesting read.
Meredith
PORTRAIT OF MOLLY DEAN, Katherine Kovacic
PAINTING IN THE SHADOWS, Katherine Kovacic
THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE, Katherine Kovacic
THE PARIS SECRET, Natasha Lester
THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BEES, Rachel Linden
WHEN GRACE WENT AWAY, Meredith Appleyard
BarbaraA
The Zanzibar Wife Deborah Rodriguez (author of the little Kabul Coffee Shop and others)
Mystery, magic and change of heart experienced in Oman by an American photographer and the Middle Eastern women she reluctantly befriends.
Medici’s daughter Sophie Perinot
Novel set in France 1500’s. Full of betrayal, love, wars of religion, bloodshed, family ambition and greed and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Related by Marguerite de Valois (daughter of Catherine de Medicis) and the struggle for power and the throne of France.
BarbW
Tidelands – Philippa Gregory. This is the 1st in a new series about the ‘working/women in service’ women in Medieval times. Great story – lots of twists & hidden stories and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Set in 1648/1649.
The Dictionary of Lost Words – Pip Williams. I’m quite addicted to ‘8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’ on SBS and there’s a lady on there, Susie Dent, who is a lexicographer and comes up with some of the most amazing words. This led me to this book. It’s a lovely story based on the development of the Oxford Dictionary.
The Dickens Boy – Tom Keneally. I heard Tom being interviewed on 891 with Richard Fiedler and thought I’d read the book. I think it has quite a lot of poetic licence in it but it was a great story. It’s based on 2 sons of Charles Dickens who were sent to Australia as young men to make their mark and live useful lives. They were sent to outback areas on sheep stations. An interesting read.
Meredith
PORTRAIT OF MOLLY DEAN, Katherine Kovacic
PAINTING IN THE SHADOWS, Katherine Kovacic
THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE, Katherine Kovacic
THE PARIS SECRET, Natasha Lester
THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BEES, Rachel Linden
WHEN GRACE WENT AWAY, Meredith Appleyard
BarbaraA
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
GROWN UPS, Marian Keyes (author THE LAST CHANCE SALOON)
Annie
THE GOOD TURN, Dervla McTiernan
THE CHIMNEY SWEEPER'S BOY, Barbara Vine
THE MINOTAUR, Barbara Vine
THE WORLD BELOW, Sue Miller
MR NOBODY, Catherine Steadman
THE LAND GIRLS, Victoria Purman - Australia WW2
THE LAWSON SISTERS, Janet Gover - Australian
UNDARA, Annie Seaton - Australia
Kerrie
4.4, THE GREAT DIVIDE, L. J. M. Owen - Australian author & setting
5.0, THE REMORSEFUL DAY, Colin Dexter - audio book
4.4, THE APARTMENT, K.L. Slater
4.8, MEMORY MAN, David Baldacci
4.4, DEATH IN OSLO, Anne Holt - translated from Norwegian
4.4, LYCKE, Mikaela Bley - translated from Norwegian
4.4, HERCULE POIROT AND THE GREENSHORE FOLLY, Agatha Christie
4.3, COLD CASE, Quentin Jardine
4.4, THE DARKNESS GATHERS, Lisa Unger
4.4, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SKY, Anna Romer
